REPORT ON TRANSFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT
(This report is a reflection prior to Unification.)
BACKGROUND
They key to success in cycling, as in any sport, is development. Its often said that, if you take care of development, the elite side of the sport will take care of itself. The element of truth: solid development is the foundation of future success.
THE PROBLEM
Cycling participation is on par with cricket and rugby
‘000s
Source: BMI & KREM Analysis
Cycling has struggle with transformation and development. Only 15% of the participation base is black (Black, coloured, asia)
Compare to other sports, cycling has yet to transform
%
Demographic split of participants
Source: BMI & KREM Analysis
However a huge opportunity exists for accelerated transformation as 60% of the support / interest base is black.
Cycling’s annual growth compare with other major sports in SA
%
Source: BMI & KREM Analysis
In order to put cycling development into perspective, it is important to remember the ultimate goal that motivate young athletes when they first begin competitive cycling. Not every cyclist has the necessary talent to reach these goals; very few will actually realise them. It is still, however, the image of the great champion that is a constant inspiration for athletes in training and in competition, motivating recreational cyclists and elite riders to push themselves to their limits.
THE CURRENT SITUATION:
The following issues has direct impact on the cycling industry at the moment:
Ø Insufficient funding to support a sustainable development and transformation program;
Ø The development officers are all volunteers;
Ø Insufficient structures at provincial level to support the various development initiatives;
Ø The sport cycling is a very expensive sport compare to all the other mayor sports;
Ø Development is still seen as a “black thing”;
Ø No role models;
Ø The slow pace of transformation in the sport. Only a few people are serious about it, and
Ø The lack of involvement of corporate sponsors, especially into the competitive side of the sport.
STATISTICS OF THE SPORT:
Attached are the stats of the four disciplines at their respective National Championships in terms of transformation for last four years.
2001:
Track Road MTB BMX
Entrants / 201 /Entrants
/ 594 /Entrants
/Entrants
/Non-White / 35 / Non-White / Non-White / Non-White
Officials / 33 / Officials / 24 / Officials / Officials
Non-White / 3 / Non-White / 3 / Non-White / Non-White
2002:
Track Road MTB BMX
Entrants / 197 /Entrants
/ 681 /Entrants
/Entrants
/Non-White / 39 / Non-White / Non-White / Non-White
Officials / 22 / Officials / 24 / Officials / Officials
Non-White / 6 / Non-White / 2 / Non-White / Non-White
2003:
Track Road MTB BMX
Entrants / 203 /Entrants
/ 650 /Entrants
/Entrants
/Non-White / 41 / Non-White / Non-White / Non-White
Officials / 21 / Officials / 26 / Officials / Officials
Non-White / 5 / Non-White / 4 / Non-White / Non-White
2004:
Track Road MTB BMX
Entrants / 191 /Entrants
/ 751 /Entrants
/Entrants
/Non-White / 46 / Non-White / 44 / Non-White / Non-White
Officials / 19 / Officials / 28 / Officials / Officials
Non-White / 7 / Non-White / 8 / Non-White / Non-White
Representation in national teams:
2001: Track
Event /White
/Non-White
Tri NationsManagement / 12
2 / -
-
World Championships
Management / 2
1 / -
-
Junior World Championships
Management / 3
1 / 1
-
2001: Road
Event /White
/Non-White
Tour LangkawiManagement / 6
4 / 1
-
Marocco
Management / 6
2 / -
1
World Championships
Management / 14
2 / -
1
China
Management / 6
1 / -
1
Germany
Management / 6
1 / -
-
Canada
Management / 6
1 / -
-
2001: MTB
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 23
2 / -
-
2001: BMX
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 18
2 / -
-
2002: Track
Event /White
/Non-White
Tri NationsManagement / 7
1 / 1
1
World Championships
Management / 2
1 / -
-
2002: Road
Event /White
/Non-White
Tour LangkawiManagement / 7
1 / -
-
China
Management / 6
1 / -
2
World Championships
Management / 9
2 / -
1
Australia
Management / 5
1 / -
-
New Zealand
Management / 5
1 / -
-
2002: MTB
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 14
2 / -
-
2002: BMX
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 2
1 / 1
-
2003: Track
Event /White
/Non-White
Tri NationsManagement / 9
1 / 3
2
World Cups
Management / 5
1 / -
1
World Championships
Management / 2
- / -
-
Junior World Championships
Management / 2
1 / 1
-
World “B” Championships
Management / 3
1 / -
-
2003: Road
Event /White
/Non-White
Tour LangkawiManagement / 6
2 / 1
-
China
Management / 6
2 / -
1
World Championships
Management / 14
2 / -
2
Germany
Management / 6
- / -
-
2003: MTB
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 28
- / -
-
2003: BMX
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 2
1 / 1
-
2004: Track
Event /White
/Non-White
Tri NationsManagement / 11
2 / 5
-
World Cups
Management / 7
1 / -
1
World Championships
Management / 4
1 / -
-
2004: Road
Event /White
/Non-White
Tour LangkawiManagement / 7
2 / -
2
China
Management / 6
2 / -
2
World Championships
Management / 11
2 / -
-
Olympic
Management / 4
1 / -
-
Canada
Management / 5
1 / 1
-
Italy
Management / 5
1 / -
-
Germany
Management / 6
- / -
-
Marocco
Management / 6
1 / -
1
2004: MTB
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 14
2 / -
-
2004: BMX
Event /White
/Non-White
World ChampionshipsManagement / 6
1 / 1
-
During the abovemention period various technical officials seminars and examinations were held for Judges, Timekeepers and Commissaires.
Officials / White / Non-WhiteOfficials Accredited / 36 / 5
The current scenario
Cycling South Africa – Constituted January 1st 2005
From the 1st of January 2005 the name of the South African Cycling Federation was officially changed to Cycling South Africa. This name change was made following 5 years of negotiation which has seen various disciplines of the sport in South Africa brought under the control of one national body. Towards the end of 2004 a revised constitution was signed into being between the South African Cycling Federation, Pedal Power Association and Gauteng Pedal Power Association, successfully placing together all the major representative bodies of the sport of cycling under one umbrella parent body to be know as Cycling South Africa or Cycling SA.
Who are the signatories to the new body:
· South African Cycling Federation: The former national representative body representing primarily the elite side of the sport with approximately 6000 members
· Pedal Power Association: A recreational sporting Association based predominantly in the Cape whose objectives are primarily the promotion of cycling as a sport and means of transport and abiding by the concept of “Sport/Cycling for all”. Membership approximately 19000
· Gauteng Pedal Power Association: A recreational sporting Association based predominantly in Gauteng and whose aims and objectives are largely the same as those of the Pedal Power Association. Membership approximately 5000
Current Development Initiatives:
As a result of an historic separation of Elite cycling vs Recreational Cycling there have been few joint initiatives which have been able to be successful on a national scale. This notwithstanding, there are many development initiatives, which have been ongoing for many years. With a united national structure now in place the challenge is to draw together the various initiatives with the intention of creating more impetus. With a combined national strategic approach, lesson learned can be shared and expenses and ideas pooled to create a more cost effective and outcomes based development plan.
Some of the current initiatives include but are not limited to the following:
Western Cape:
1. PEDAL POWER ASSOCIATION
The Pedal Power Association actively aids cycling development in various ways.
The Association annually budgets direct spend around R200 000 for development cycling.
Around half the budget is spent to support development clubs like Millennium (Khayelitsha), Millennium (Masiphumelela), Revolution (Delft), Kinetic (Bishop Lavis/Kuilsrivier), Life Development Cycling Academy (Fish Hoek area), Atlantis (Atlantis), BEN Freewheelers (Steenberg area), and some development riders in the Ceres, Hex River and Bellville Cycling Clubs.
The clubs receive support from the Pedal Power Association with regards to free Cycling SA membership, free entries to PPA events, transport money to attend PPA events, free league entries, free team entries to major PPA events like the Double Century, and equipment (tyres and inner tubes bought by PPA, and helmets, clothes and other cycling equipment donated by PPA members). In addition, PPA pays for their timing transponders and CSA licenses.
From 2005, the PPA development sub-committee is allocating half the development budget on what can loosely be termed “development projects”, which are allocated by tender. One example is a “Safe Cycling Development Course” taking place at various schools in the southern peninsula, with the aim of teaching safe and responsible cycling to school children.
PPA also supports development riders and teams on merit where funds are needed to attend major competitions like the Eric van Enter, Junior Tour and the like.
2. CLUBS IN THE WESTERN CAPE
According to, the chairman of the Western Province Cycling Association, the biggest development drive in general is currently taking place with regards to track cycling. WPCA at present has some 36 track bikes acquired with Lotto funds. These bikes are put use at the Development Track Training Sessions on Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoons, when up to 40 cyclists of all ages turn up at the Bellville Velodrome to learn more about cycling in general and in particular track cycling.
According to WPCA, transport funds are made available to cyclists who need help in getting to the Velodrome. Plans are also afoot to provide riders in need with a light meal after the training session.
WPCA had received twenty road bikes through the Lotto. These bikes were, upon application, distributed to clubs. WPCA has also received some MTB bikes via the Lotto.
The WPCA development officer is Eleanor Hendricks.
a) BELLVILLE CYCLING CLUB
Bellville Cycling Club is actively involved with development cycling, with twenty of the club’s sixty members coming from previously disadvantaged communities.
The club subsidises these riders partially or in full with club fees, club kit, entry fees, and transport to events.
While most of the focus is concentrated around track cycling, the club also provided road training for their development riders.
b) PAARL CYCLING CLUB
The Paarl Cycling Club sees “development riders” to be any cyclist (of any race or gender) who needs help in order to pursue the sport of cycling. The Club has three Lotto bikes. Club support entails subsidised club fees, club kit, transport to events, and even entry fees.
c) CERES CYCLING CLUB
The Ceres Cycling Club has a number development cycling members, children of farm workers in the area. The club supports them with transport to events, and entry fees to events.
d) HEX RIVER VALEY CYCLING CLUB
The Hex River Valley cycling club last year facilitated mountain bikes to be sponsored to some children of farm workers in the area. The club helps the riders to attend funrides.
e) OUTRIDERS CYCLING CLUB (Tableview)
The Outriders has no development plan as such, and helps cyclists who qualify on merit (i.e. need help in order to pursue the sport of cycling).
The club has in the past collected equipment for the Khayelitsha Millennium Cycling Club, and will sponsor club fees, equipment and club kit as needed.
The Club recently gave all its profit from a track meeting organised by the Club, to development cycling.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE RECENTLY APPEARED IN THE PEDAL POWER ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE, LIFECYCLE:
DEVELOPING OUR CYCLISTS OF TOMORROW
“All the members of the Kinetic Cycling Club would like to take this opportunity to thank the Pedal Power Association for services rendered to us. Without your assistance, we would not have been able to compete successfully in the funrides, Double Century and the like.”
This letter was sent to the Pedal Power Association at the end of the 2004 cycling season, while at the 2004 PPA Annual General Meeting, the Khayelitsha Millennium Cycling Club stood up and formally thanked the PPA for their assistance and support throughout the year.
PPA Chairman, David Bellairs, explains the PPA’s development cycling policy:
“The Pedal Power Association’s development policy is aimed at enabling cyclists to literally ‘get to the start line’ through direct or indirect assistance. PPA constantly strives to introduce cycling at an early age across all facets of the South African community. In other words, ‘development cycling’ to us not only means introducing the previously disadvantaged community to cycling, but also to assist with schools cycling,” said David.
PPA directly supports clubs like Kinetic, Revolution, Khayelitsha Millennium, the Life Development Cycling Academy and others, according to set criteria. This support takes the form of transport subsidies, equipment purchases, free entries and membership, ad hoc courses and some event participation support.
PPA contributes annually for Western Province scholars to attend the inter-provincial Eric van Enter event. “This event is open to all licenced riders from 8-18,” explained Janine Brown, convenor of PPA’s scholars’ sub-committee. “During 2004 PPA assisted 50 young riders, of whom 22 were from so-called development clubs, with clothing, equipment, transport and accommodation costs.”